Nothing Groundbreaking…

This has been a great week. Last weekend was the MDC3 Con Writers & Readers Conference in Columbia, MD. Thought I would have an OK time. Boy, was I wrong.

I met great authors with loads to say about the writing life and how to navigate its unusual path. I heard tried and true phrases — ‘put you butt in the seat and WRITE no matter what’.

Sure, you hear it and know what it means but to hear folks who have CONTRACTS say they have trouble doing this when this is what they’re paid to do?! It makes you realize it’s not just little ole me having the issue. It is a writer thang.

Hearing about how other writers and authors create their systems for writing and editing their work was also an eye-opener. So many systems to do the SAME thing. Clearly, you have to find what works for you and go with that. However, what is clear is that you have to have some kind of system, OR ELSE it all falls apart.

Writers need a support system to help them overcome the low periods and to coast securely along during the high points (without losing one’s head). And the group you work with should be at the same writing career level as yourself, or else there could be some friction. But, hey. We’re all human, right? An author at the conference had this situation and had to change the configuration of the group because it became non-productive for that author. But, she dealt with it when she got to that point. You cannot, and should not, future worry! 🙂

Lastly, if there’s such a thing on such a broad topic, figure out the path of your writing project and have it mapped out in your mind. Publishers like that! Don’t focus solely on Book 1. Know the story arc of the series a few books down the line. This is how your publisher thinks, and so should you, the aspiring writer/author.

Okay, really last thing. Find tools that will help you write. If it’s Scrivener, great. If it’s the app that blocks social media distractions — awesome! If it’s paying the neighbor’s kid to watch your kid(s) — super. Get it done so you get your butt in the seat and write, edit, plan, story arc, whatever. The idea is to ALWAYS BE WRITING.

2 Comments

I think some type of plan is important when you write, to stay disciplined and achieve your goal. Also I agree that each of us is an individual so we have to find what works best for ourselves.

I am currently in Positano on the beach writing. I have definitely found my muse and inspiration here and am accomplishing much. A big part of it has to do with the fact that I am not distracted with the everyday things from home.

Yes! That’s a fab way to write — on the beach! And that point about not getting distracted with the everyday things from home is so important. This is why I went to Starbucks the other day to edit — no distractions. Ciao bella!